Thomas Vermaelen Out Of Favor At Arsenal

Arsenal has shocked the world with their inspirational play this season, sitting at the top of the English Premier League table led by manager Arsene Wenger.

What makes their current status in the Premiership even more impressive is that Arsenal is in first place with some of their top young talent sidelined with fitness issues. The likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski all out due to fitness problems.

The most noticeable nonparticipant is captain Thomas Vermaelen, a Belgian international. He has lacked fitness throughout the beginning of the season. But, questions of Vermalen’s future have become a topic of discussion, mainly because he has regained fitness and is ready to play.

The partnership of French international Laurent Koscielny and German international Per Mertesacker has been exceptional this season, prompting Wenger to use an unchanged center-back pairing. So, the inclusion of Vermalen looks unlikely. With the World Cup next summer, it probably isn’t sitting well with the Belgian.

Considering the talent Belgium has at their disposal, if Vermaelen doesn’t get games at Arsenal, he may not make the 25-man World Cup roster. If healthy, we know Manchester City and Belgian captain Vincent Kompany is a lock to start in the heart of defense. Jan Vertonghen has been exceptional for Tottenham Hotspur this season and is favored to start with Kompany even If Vermaelen was playing regularly at Arsenal.

It will be an uphill battle for Vermaelen to get games at Arsenal this season barring an injury to Mertesacker or Koscielny. When given the chance, we know the quality Vermaelen has. He is an excellent defender who brings leadership an experience to any squad.